Japan sees hydrogen, ammonia important for energy security: minister

Japan sees hydrogen and ammonia as increasingly important for energy security amid heightened uncertainty surrounding energy supplies, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Ryosei Akazawa said Sept. 10.

"Today, against the backdrop of growing instability in the international environment and increasing uncertainty surrounding the supply of energy resources and fuels, the risks to stable energy supplies have become increasingly evident," Akazawa said in his opening speech at the Japan-hosted 8th Hydrogen Energy Ministerial Meeting at Makuhari Messe in collaboration with H2 & FC EXPO (International Hydrogen & Fuel Cell Expo) — one of the world's largest hydrogen-related exhibitions on the outskirts of Tokyo.

"In this context, hydrogen and ammonia are becoming more important than ever, and they can contribute not only to achieving carbon neutrality, but also to enhancing energy security through the diversification of supply sources and energy sources."

Price gap schemes

Under the Hydrogen Society Promotion Act, Japan's support schemes aim at addressing the price gap between low carbon hydrogen and its derivatives and conventional fuels," Akazawa said.

"Japan has selected projects, including green ammonia supply projects from India with a combined hydrogen production capacity of approximately 200,000 tonnes per year," he said. "Through these projects, we are steadily advancing the development of hydrogen and ammonia supply chains."

This year, Japan also launched the hydrogen back initiative, a joint public-private initiative to advance the real-world deployment of hydrogen and ammonia.

"As the hydrogen sector increasingly focuses on projects with greater certainty and commercial viability. These projects are steadily moving into the implementation phase," Akazawa said.

"To expand the deployment of hydrogen and ammonia, we must not leave them nearly as possible energy sources for the distant future," he added. "We must begin where action is already possible. deploying hydrogen and ammonia in real-world applications across mobility, power generation and industry. By building up sustainable demand, we can create viable and resilient markets."